ABC and Screen Australia are providing more than $200,000 to fund four six-by-five minute web series under a new initiative – Art Bites.
States and territories nationally have pledged support for the initiative, including Film Victoria, Screen Queensland, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, ScreenWest and the South Australian Film Corporation committing additional support to emerging filmmakers from their respective states.
The web series that will premiere on the new ABC Arts channel on iview.
In addition, each project selected will have the mentoring support from a digital Arts commissioning editor and an investment development manager appointed by ABC and Screen Australia.
ABC director of television, Richard Finlayson, said he was thrilled to be partnering with Screen Australia and the State agencies on the initiative which has been designed to make arts content more accessible and foster the next generation of Australian filmmakers nationally.”
Screen Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Fiona Cameron, said Art Bites promised to be an adventure for both filmmakers and viewers, illuminating the arts in Australia from a fresh perspective.
"We’re also pleased to support opportunities for content that aligns with wider industry trends in documentary short form,” she said.
Since launching in September, the ABC Arts channel on iview has featured hand-picked arts content from Australia and around the world.
Program plays of arts content on iview have tripled since the launch of the channel.